Medellin Hacienda Napoles Tour: Is Pasaporte Safari Worth It?

If you’re headed to Medellin, Colombia, there’s a really good chance you’ve heard about Hacienda Napoles. It was Pablo Escobar’s infamous estate, which has since morphed into something like a bizarre mix of amusement park, animal sanctuary, and historical site. It’s certainly something that can take your visit to the next level! I’m going to give you the lowdown on the “Pasaporte Safari” option, basically figuring out if that specific ticket gets you the most bang for your buck.

What is Hacienda Napoles Anyway?

Alright, so Hacienda Napoles has quite the backstory. That is, it was once Pablo Escobar’s ridiculously lavish private estate, I mean, like with a private zoo, several pools, and just tons of over-the-top stuff. Following Escobar’s death, the place more or less fell into disrepair. Very gradually, it’s been transformed into a tourist attraction, trying to, well, balance the history – and that’s tricky, really – with entertaining visitors.

Today, what you get, essentially, is a huge park with a ton of stuff to do. There are still animals, though maybe not quite as exotic as Escobar’s original collection, too, and you’ll find water parks that feel strangely out of place, yet somehow fitting for the vibe of the whole estate. So, a lot of people get drawn to the whole controversial history thing, sure, but it seems like it offers a peculiar experience for travelers.

Breaking Down the Pasaporte Safari

The “Pasaporte Safari” is essentially one of the ticket options at Hacienda Napoles that gives you access to what I guess you can call the core attractions. Think of it like that general admission ticket at some theme parks. So, it gets you into the main areas. Then, it has spots where you can see the animals, the old car collection (a bit of a nod to Escobar’s past), and some of the more standard attractions they’ve set up.

Specifically, this, apparently, includes the Africa Museum, the fossil exhibit, a tour around what they refer to as “wildlife sanctuary,” the Hippo habitat, the replica of the prehistoric animals, that Roman Coliseum, the “Musical Bridges” area, the “Great African Savannah,” plus access to the primary pools like Las Cataratas and Rio Salvaje. If your focus is primarily animal viewing, then perhaps that’s something you might enjoy.

Is it Worth The Money? – Digging Into The Pros

If you’re someone who gets some form of happiness seeing animals – hippos in Colombia, oddly enough! – then that safari pass, clearly, gives you the most direct access. Likewise, this ticket, I believe, it seems it provides an easy introduction to what the Hacienda offers, letting you decide later whether you’d want to invest more time, too, at specific activities.

For a lot of folks, I suppose having that water park entry bundled into one ticket can make it a very attractive thing, actually. You’re sort of getting this mix of animal encounters, somewhat, alongside the chance to just chill out by the pools and enjoy Colombia’s warm weather. That, at the end of the day, is definitely what people look for.

Considerations – The Cons

I would say that Hacienda Napoles can feel a little bit run-down in a number of areas, alright, I’m going to tell you. The animals are cool, sure, so, too, are the pools. However, what they are trying to promote there can feel more than slightly dated, very. I’m not trying to come across as a hater. So, temper those expectations, I would, I think.

Hacienda Napoles really has an odd historical connection. So, while it touches upon the Pablo Escobar period, it’s all almost weirdly sanitized. It can strike you as very superficial, and that can, too, make the whole thing feel just a little bit…icky, you know. Is this glorifying something? Minimizing harm? These can very much be questions that hang in your mind.

Alternatives to the Pasaporte Safari

Rather than being stuck on Hacienda Napoles, so why not explore some different options, actually? Not far from there, I believe, is Rio Claro. So, that is a naturally formed canyon with that absolutely incredible river running through it. It’s definitely much more focused on adventure stuff and getting into Colombia’s outstanding natural environments.

If what you are really keen on is some Escobar background, so, instead, check out some Medellin-based tours, really. These are commonly led by people who come from affected neighborhoods. These tours typically provide some really intense, respectful perspectives, alright.

Getting the Most Out of Your Visit

Alright, whether you end up getting that Pasaporte Safari or not, so that really is a few ways you might make the most of this adventure, like your choice. Make it a point to get there early. This place gets really busy, really. Getting there right when it opens kinda helps you beat all those tour bus crowds, and also then you have an easier time seeing the animals.

Pack smart, essentially. So, there will likely be warm, maybe humid weather, so you might prepare appropriately, I think. Bring that sunscreen, a good hat, definitely, too, is your swimsuit if you actually plan to hit one of the pools, which, truthfully, that kinda does make the visit worth the ticket.

Seek out arepas (kinda like a cornmeal pancake) or perhaps bandeja paisa, the very famous, really large platter of Colombian food, if that speaks to you. Street sellers, basically, or perhaps even those little cafes outside the Hacienda, likely have a tasty range of possibilities that will give your strength for exploring. If you’re very courageous, go to a vendor and just ask for recommendations; those always end up good.

Final Thoughts: Should You Go?

Visiting Hacienda Napoles with the Pasaporte Safari option is just kinda tricky, I have to say. You have this historical weight, it has animals. But also then, kind of, there’s something that is slightly off. I believe that it very much can be an engaging experience, it seems. So, just make certain your expectations, truthfully, fit that specific offering, and also think of maybe adding that respectful layer in remembering this history involved.

• Animal Encounters: So, the safari pass, that means it gives great access, too, to Hacienda Napoles’ various animal attractions.
• Value: The water park, truthfully, that inclusion really makes this option appealing.
• Alternatives: See whether you really want that history component, like your preference, then those Escobar-centered Medellin tours, for sure, can provide some depth.

#HaciendaNapoles #Medellin #Colombia #TravelReview #PabloEscobar #Safari #SouthAmerica #AdventureTravel